Trailer and hitch mechanism for a robot
US7677587B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 17, 2007 |
| Grant date | Mar 16, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 8, 2028 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB62D13/04
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A trailer and hitch system for a mobile robot. The trailer includes a front Ackerman steering linkage, a releasable locking mechanism for releasably positioning the Ackerman steering linkage in a turned position to arrest the trailer, a tow bar extending upwardly from the Ackerman steering linkage and terminating in a lunette ring, and spaced skid members extending downwardly and rearwardly. The mobile robot includes a hitch assembly for the lunette ring. The hitch assembly has a frame including a slot for the lunette ring and a guide portion for guiding the lunette ring into the slot, a latch pivotable with respect to the frame and biased to close the slot, and a decoupling mechanism configured to move the latch to release the lunette ring from the slot. A robot arm is maneuverable to engage the decoupling mechanism.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.